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Itinerary for Sep 28 — Oct 8, 2013

Description: In the heart of historic Back Bay stands an equally legendary landmark. Built in 1927, The Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers is a member of Historic Hotels of America, and recipient of the Successful Meeting Pinnacle Award for delivering excellence in meetings. With an unmatched location, the hotel are adjacent to the Public Garden with its Swan Boats and the chic boutiques, art galleries and restaurants of the world-famous Newbury Street. Rich in history, the hotel offers the same luxury, hospitality expertise, service and splendor today that have attracted United States Presidents, international corporations, and celebrities in the past.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Additional nights before: Varies based on availabilityFor pre and post night reservation call Boston Park Plaza reservation agent Esther Lo at 617-457-2423 (Monday-Friday 10:30am-6pm EST) to book pre and/or post nights. Make sure to state your program number (this is a 4 or 5 digit number) and that you are with the Road Scholar group. A limited number of rooms are available at a Road Scholar group rate if booked 30 days prior to your program start date. For all other Hotel needs please call Road Scholar at 617-521-5373

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day One: Saturday, September 28 - Arrivals: Welcome and Program Overview

Afternoon: 3:00-4:00 p.m.: Hotel check-in and program registration.
4:30-5:30 p.m.: Meet in a private room for program welcome and orientation.

Dinner: Take a short walk around the neighborhood and continue to the Welcome Dinner in a nearby restaurant.

Description: In the heart of historic Back Bay stands an equally legendary landmark. Built in 1927, The Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers is a member of Historic Hotels of America, and recipient of the Successful Meeting Pinnacle Award for delivering excellence in meetings. With an unmatched location, the hotel are adjacent to the Public Garden with its Swan Boats and the chic boutiques, art galleries and restaurants of the world-famous Newbury Street. Rich in history, the hotel offers the same luxury, hospitality expertise, service and splendor today that have attracted United States Presidents, international corporations, and celebrities in the past.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Additional nights before: Varies based on availabilityFor pre and post night reservation call Boston Park Plaza reservation agent Esther Lo at 617-457-2423 (Monday-Friday 10:30am-6pm EST) to book pre and/or post nights. Make sure to state your program number (this is a 4 or 5 digit number) and that you are with the Road Scholar group. A limited number of rooms are available at a Road Scholar group rate if booked 30 days prior to your program start date. For all other Hotel needs please call Road Scholar at 617-521-5373

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day Two: Sunday, September 29 - Boston: City on a Hill

Note: The Boston field trip is by motorcoach, with a walk (approximately 45-minutes) through the North End, where streets are inaccessible to buses. Return from the JFK Library and Museum is via public transportation on the MBTA Red Line subway system. A free shuttle bus transfers passengers from in front of the JFK Library to the MBTA Red Line JFK stop. The Downtown Crossing MBTA stop is 1 block from the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Explore historic highlights of Boston as well as city landmarks that played a role in John F. Kennedy’s political path to the Whitehouse on a guided field trip. Continue to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum for an exclusive Road Scholar presentation.

Lunch: Bag lunch in the JFK Library & Museum.

Afternoon: Visit the museum at your own pace on a self-guided visit. Exhibits portray the life, leadership, and legacy of President Kennedy, convey his enthusiasm for politics and public service, and illustrates the nature of the office of the President. Return to the hotel by public transportation at your leisure.

Description: The Anchorage by the Sea is located directly on the Marginal Way overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, and can be accessed conveniently from the property. Once a dirt trail with difficult terrain, the magnificent Marginal Way is now a paved footpath. Winding along the rocky shoreline for 1 ¼ miles from Ogunquit’s downtown area to the quaint fishing village of Perkins Cove, the Marginal Way boasts some of most spectacular coastal views in New England. The Anchorage is conveniently located within walking distance to beautiful sandy beaches, Ogunquit Village, Perkins Cove, museums, art galleries, specialty shops, and fine restaurants.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Day Three: Monday, September 30 - New England’s Maritime History

Note: The total mileage traveled by motorcoach today is 115 miles. Walking and standing outdoors and in historic buildings for two hours on a guided walking tour of Salem’s waterfront.

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Depart Boston to Salem, Massachusetts for an exploration of the National Maritime Historic Site. Continue up the rocky coast, through scenic North Shore towns to Gloucester, Massachusetts, America’s oldest fishing port, founded in 1623.

Description: The Anchorage by the Sea is located directly on the Marginal Way overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, and can be accessed conveniently from the property. Once a dirt trail with difficult terrain, the magnificent Marginal Way is now a paved footpath. Winding along the rocky shoreline for 1 ¼ miles from Ogunquit’s downtown area to the quaint fishing village of Perkins Cove, the Marginal Way boasts some of most spectacular coastal views in New England. The Anchorage is conveniently located within walking distance to beautiful sandy beaches, Ogunquit Village, Perkins Cove, museums, art galleries, specialty shops, and fine restaurants.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Day Four: Tuesday, October 01 - Ogunquit Outdoors and in Art

Note: Walking and standing for 1 hour in the Ogunquit Museum of American Art. Motorcoach access to Perkins Cove is limited. The walk from Shore Road into Perkins Cove is .2 miles, about a 6 minute walk. Embarking and disembarking the lobster boat requires stepping onto the boat and 3 steps.

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Visit the Ogunquit Museum of American Art, which houses a permanent collection of important paintings, sculpture, drawings, prints, and photographs from the late 1800s to the present. Included in the collection is an extensive selection of works by artists associated with Ogunquit’s famous art colony of the early 20th century. Then, head out on a one-hour boat cruise to learn first-hand about lobster fishing as well as to appreciate the scenic coastal views from a different perspective. (Weather dependent.)

Lunch: Your choice to explore local fare.

Afternoon: Free Time. You may wish to take in the spectacular scenery on a walk along the Marginal Way. Once a dirt trail with difficult terrain, the magnificent Marginal Way is now a paved footpath. Winding along the rocky shoreline for 1.25 miles from Ogunquit’s downtown area to the quaint fishing village of Perkins Cove, the Marginal Way boasts some of most spectacular coastal views in New England.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Day Five: Wednesday, October 02 - From the Rocky Coast to the Granite Mountains

Note: The total mileage traveled by motorcoach today is 120 non-highway miles. The Taste of Portland is a combination of riding on the motorcoach and limited walking on cobblestone streets, approximately 1 mile with frequent stops and opportunities to sit, over 3 hours.

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Depart Ogunquit and head up the coast to Portland Head Light, one of the iconic lighthouses that has served as a beacon to ships since 1791. Explore Portland on an exclusive “Taste of Maine” as you walk through the historic cobblestone streets of the Old Port, in the "foodiest small town" in America! Sample locally-produced Maine cheese, honey wine, a mini Lobster roll, a whoopie pie and more as local producers and restaurateurs explain what makes Portland, Maine so special.

Lunch: Your choice to explore local fare.

Afternoon: Depart Portland and leave the rocky coast of New England behind for the White Mountains of North Conway, New Hampshire. A lecture on the ecology of the autumn in the North Woods discusses native wildlife and the northern environment.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Day Six: Thursday, October 03 - Meteorology, Nature and Wildlife of the White Mou...

Note: Please note that the Mount Washington Observatory Museum is located in the center of North Conway and is a different location than actual observatory itself. Mt. Washington is often inaccessible due to weather conditions and is therefore not scheduled in the program. The one-hour walk through estate is on maintained, unpaved trails.

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: At the Mount Washington Observatory Museum in North Conway, “meet” with observatory meteorology staff via a private video conference for a discussion on their research and what life is like at one of the earth’s most extreme weather locations. Then, drive scenic Route 302 through Crawford Notch.

Lunch: In a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Learn how maple syrup is produced and how conservation fits into maple sugaring at the Rocks Estate and North Country Conservation & Education Center for the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. Then take a one-hour walk through the estate's forest trails, discussing wildlife habitat improvement and sustainable forestry practices while enjoying mountain vistas. Late afternoon return to the hotel.

Description: Part of the Sugarbush Resort property, the Sugarbush Inn is a traditional, rustic Vermont country inn, situated less than one mile from the base of Lincoln Peak. The inn features a cozy wood-paneled library and a sitting room with fireplace.

Description: Part of the Sugarbush Resort property, the Sugarbush Inn is a traditional, rustic Vermont country inn, situated less than one mile from the base of Lincoln Peak. The inn features a cozy wood-paneled library and a sitting room with fireplace.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Day Eight: Saturday, October 05 - America’s History Through Folk Art: The Shelburne...

Note: The total mileage traveled by motorcoach today is approximately 100 miles. The Shelburne Museum encompasses 45 acres and there is a shuttle bus that circles the property.

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Investigate three centuries of life in America through the collections of the Shelburne Museum; homecrafts, folk arts, trade tools, transportation, fine arts and furnishings and architecture are displayed in the museum’s 35 historic buildings.

Lunch: Vouchers are provided for the museum cafeteria, to use at your leisure.

Afternoon: Continue visiting the museum, then return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Description: Deeded in 1752 by England’s King George as the area’s first land grant, the Putney Inn was the homestead of English Captain John Kathan. The farmhouse’s original two-sided central hearth has continued to greet guests, unchanged through the centuries. Hand hewn beams, lush plants and antiques create the warmth of this New England landmark property’s dining rooms and public areas. All lodging is located in an adjacent, 2-storey, modern structure.

Description: Deeded in 1752 by England’s King George as the area’s first land grant, the Putney Inn was the homestead of English Captain John Kathan. The farmhouse’s original two-sided central hearth has continued to greet guests, unchanged through the centuries. Hand hewn beams, lush plants and antiques create the warmth of this New England landmark property’s dining rooms and public areas. All lodging is located in an adjacent, 2-storey, modern structure.

Note: The drive from Putney, Vermont to Boston's Logan International Airport is 2.5 hours non-stop.

Breakfast: In the inn.

Morning: End of program. Transfer provided to Boston's Logan Airport with drop off at approximately 11:30 a.m. Please do not schedule flight departures earlier than 1:30 p.m. The coach will make drop-offs at South Station and the Park Plaza if needed after the airport, at approximately 12:30 p.m.

Important information about your itinerary: Please know that while we do everything we can to finalize all aspects of our programs well in advance, there are logistics that occasionally must be altered. Our website will reflect the most recent information, and we are committed to providing you with final program details no later than eight weeks prior to the start of programs outside the U.S. and three weeks prior to the start of programs within the U.S. If you ever have questions about your program, please don't hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

Need Help?

The latest in light, portable, easy-to-use QUIETVOX listening devices are available on Road Scholar programs.* Whether you are outdoors, in a crowd or in a museum environment where speaking loudly is discouraged, a listening device makes it feel like our experts are speaking clearly and directly to you. Hear for yourself on a Road Scholar adventure!

*Please note that due to the nature of some programs, the remote location or government regulations, listening devices may not be available. If you’d like to know for sure if your program will offer listening devices, just call and ask an Advisor!